Three phases of a Life of a Christian

[TeachinTeens]

According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

I feel this is an oversimplification. I think these phrases may come in any order, which means we might not always find ourselves first facing a crisis. I grew up in a Christian home; every Christmas, my grandmother would gift me a religious book. Had it been written in my childhood, I feel confident "Grace Revealed" would have found its way into the gift bag. Therefore, the concept of giving grace to others was simply a part of how I was raised to behave. Before reaching that age of accountability, my morality and behavioral patterns were built around this concept of showing God's grace in every action; there was no crisis to spur me. After reading "Grace Revealed", I think any crisis I faced even later in life would have to be considered minor at this point in comparison anyways. Christians are flawed people living in a flawed world, so there are constant crisis. There is also constant grace, and the constant intent to do right by others (if they truly do mirror Jesus).

Therefore, I don't see these 3 phases as being that of the development of a Christian. Things can be going great, such as they were for the lawyer in "Grace Revealed", and it still isn't enough without God. Things can be going horribly, as they were for the soldier in Vietnam, but he was still paying the grace forward without knowing until years later why his actions were important. While I think all Christians might experience each of these, I don't think they always go in this same cycle. They ebb and flow.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

I feel this is an oversimplification. I think these phrases may come in any order, which means we might not always find ourselves first facing a crisis. I grew up in a Christian home; every Christmas, my grandmother would gift me a religious book. Had it been written in my childhood, I feel confident "Grace Revealed" would have found its way into the gift bag. Therefore, the concept of giving grace to others was simply a part of how I was raised to behave. Before reaching that age of accountability, my morality and behavioral patterns were built around this concept of showing God's grace in every action; there was no crisis to spur me. After reading "Grace Revealed", I think any crisis I faced even later in life would have to be considered minor at this point in comparison anyways. Christians are flawed people living in a flawed world, so there are constant crisis. There is also constant grace, and the constant intent to do right by others (if they truly do mirror Jesus).

Therefore, I don't see these 3 phases as being that of the development of a Christian. Things can be going great, such as they were for the lawyer in "Grace Revealed", and it still isn't enough without God. Things can be going horribly, as they were for the soldier in Vietnam, but he was still paying the grace forward without knowing until years later why his actions were important. While I think all Christians might experience each of these, I don't think they always go in this same cycle. They ebb and flow.

Yes the phases can be mixed in their order, and also the in between time gap can be vary

[Xenolyph]

As a new Christian, it's very strange to adjust to the new life. It is something that takes a step-by-step process. I do feel that the first step is accepting there is a problem or facing what lay before you. Then you have to humble yourself and accept the grace God has before you can proceed.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

As a new Christian, it's very strange to adjust to the new life. It is something that takes a step-by-step process. I do feel that the first step is accepting there is a problem or facing what lay before you. Then you have to humble yourself and accept the grace God has before you can proceed.

To satrt off you need grace, and you will definitely be provided with it

[Wyzdomania_Gskillz]

I feel this is an oversimplification. I think these phrases may come in any order, which means we might not always find ourselves first facing a crisis. I grew up in a Christian home; every Christmas, my grandmother would gift me a religious book. Had it been written in my childhood, I feel confident "Grace Revealed" would have found its way into the gift bag. Therefore, the concept of giving grace to others was simply a part of how I was raised to behave. Before reaching that age of accountability, my morality and behavioral patterns were built around this concept of showing God's grace in every action; there was no crisis to spur me. After reading "Grace Revealed", I think any crisis I faced even later in life would have to be considered minor at this point in comparison anyways. Christians are flawed people living in a flawed world, so there are constant crisis. There is also constant grace, and the constant intent to do right by others (if they truly do mirror Jesus).

Therefore, I don't see these 3 phases as being that of the development of a Christian. Things can be going great, such as they were for the lawyer in "Grace Revealed", and it still isn't enough without God. Things can be going horribly, as they were for the soldier in Vietnam, but he was still paying the grace forward without knowing until years later why his actions were important. While I think all Christians might experience each of these, I don't think they always go in this same cycle. They ebb and flow.

Whilst I agree with you, I do not however think that the author implies that thee phases must go in that exact order in a cycle. They are just a summation of phases that every Christian goes through one time or another in their lives that helps reveal grace, in any order that they come. Recognizing the significance of every phase is what is key

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I feel this is an oversimplification. I think these phrases may come in any order, which means we might not always find ourselves first facing a crisis. I grew up in a Christian home; every Christmas, my grandmother would gift me a religious book. Had it been written in my childhood, I feel confident "Grace Revealed" would have found its way into the gift bag. Therefore, the concept of giving grace to others was simply a part of how I was raised to behave. Before reaching that age of accountability, my morality and behavioral patterns were built around this concept of showing God's grace in every action; there was no crisis to spur me. After reading "Grace Revealed", I think any crisis I faced even later in life would have to be considered minor at this point in comparison anyways. Christians are flawed people living in a flawed world, so there are constant crisis. There is also constant grace, and the constant intent to do right by others (if they truly do mirror Jesus).

Therefore, I don't see these 3 phases as being that of the development of a Christian. Things can be going great, such as they were for the lawyer in "Grace Revealed", and it still isn't enough without God. Things can be going horribly, as they were for the soldier in Vietnam, but he was still paying the grace forward without knowing until years later why his actions were important. While I think all Christians might experience each of these, I don't think they always go in this same cycle. They ebb and flow.

Whilst I agree with you, I do not however think that the author implies that thee phases must go in that exact order in a cycle. They are just a summation of phases that every Christian goes through one time or another in their lives that helps reveal grace, in any order that they come. Recognizing the significance of every phase is what is key

That is true. The order might vary. What is important is going through them and sharing grace

[Arwa_here]

I agree that the author presents a specific sequence of the stages of giving and receiving grace. But as everyone interprets a text differently, I think it's the same if someone goes through one phase before the other i.e these are interchangeable.

[Miller56]

I think we receive God's grace most often when we are in crisis and feel that nothing we do is helping. For many of us raised in church, we have understood and probably received God's grace without a crisis, but we understand that when their is a crisis in our lives we can readily turn to God. Once we receive grace, it is easier for us to give grace to others. So the three steps seem appropriate except I am not sure you have to have a crisis to understand and receive grace.

[Grace Bela]

Overall, I think the three phases work really well for describing a Christian life when experiencing struggle. However, this might not apply to everyone, so I'd hesitate to say it's a perfect description. God's timing in healing, along with how and when he acts isn't the same for everyone. Because a relationship with God is so personal and unique to an individual, there might be other ways to describe it that work equally as well.

[Grace Bela]

I think we receive God's grace most often when we are in crisis and feel that nothing we do is helping. For many of us raised in church, we have understood and probably received God's grace without a crisis, but we understand that when their is a crisis in our lives we can readily turn to God. Once we receive grace, it is easier for us to give grace to others. So the three steps seem appropriate except I am not sure you have to have a crisis to understand and receive grace.

I agree with your interpretation. Just because someone experiences less hardship than another person doesn't mean that they necessarily have less God-given grace. While crisis are one way to draw closer to God and his grace, they aren't the only way.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I agree that the author presents a specific sequence of the stages of giving and receiving grace. But as everyone interprets a text differently, I think it's the same if someone goes through one phase before the other i.e these are interchangeable.

Though the author has stated them in a sequence for the purpose of better understanding, yes, they are interchangeable.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think we receive God's grace most often when we are in crisis and feel that nothing we do is helping. For many of us raised in church, we have understood and probably received God's grace without a crisis, but we understand that when their is a crisis in our lives we can readily turn to God. Once we receive grace, it is easier for us to give grace to others. So the three steps seem appropriate except I am not sure you have to have a crisis to understand and receive grace.

Crisis is not always necessary to receive grace, but that can be a good stimulant for one to be reminded of grace.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Overall, I think the three phases work really well for describing a Christian life when experiencing struggle. However, this might not apply to everyone, so I'd hesitate to say it's a perfect description. God's timing in healing, along with how and when he acts isn't the same for everyone. Because a relationship with God is so personal and unique to an individual, there might be other ways to describe it that work equally as well.

It does not apply to all in same manner or equal quantity, yet it applies to all, the God's grace!

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think we receive God's grace most often when we are in crisis and feel that nothing we do is helping. For many of us raised in church, we have understood and probably received God's grace without a crisis, but we understand that when their is a crisis in our lives we can readily turn to God. Once we receive grace, it is easier for us to give grace to others. So the three steps seem appropriate except I am not sure you have to have a crisis to understand and receive grace.

I agree with your interpretation. Just because someone experiences less hardship than another person doesn't mean that they necessarily have less God-given grace. While crisis are one way to draw closer to God and his grace, they aren't the only way.

There are many ways for one to be attracted to the God, and crisis is one of them. Being in a crisis or not His grace is always yours

[Sonya Nicolaidis]

Not everyone finds God as a result of being in crisis. I dedicated my life to God as a child and I grew up in a Christian home. I have never faced any of the horrible situations that the people in this book faced. I have had my ups and downs in life, but my life has never been in ruins. When I was growing up and people would come to our church with flaming testimonies, I always felt like my testimony somehow wasn't as powerful. But as an adult, I think living a life close to God with a grateful heart demonstrates God's grace as powerfully as finding God in a crisis. I am grateful for the life God has given me.

This is such a beautiful and uplifting comment. While it is true that many people have had their faith catalyzed by hardships, I agree that a crisis is not a prerequisite for becoming a Christian. I think that if the author substituted “an awareness of one’s spiritual need” for the word “crisis”, I would agree with this evaluation more.